Chatelain: Mahomes Is MVP Of NFL's 1st Half

Donald, Barkley Also Deserving Of Midseason Awards

The temperatures are falling, the clocks are changing, and the kids are dressing up like the Paw Patrol while begging for Dum Dums. That means it's that time of the year when we hand out midseason NFL awards.

Here's who's worthy of receiving some imaginary hardware:

MVP: PATRICK MAHOMES, QB, KANSAS CITY

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TODD GURLEY, RB, LOS ANGELES RAMS

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: AARON DONALD, DT, LOS ANGELES RAMS

Honorable Mention: J.J. Watt (Hou), Khalil Mack (Chi)

Donald had two more sacks in Sunday's win over the Packers and leads the NFL with 10 QB takedowns this season. He is the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Gurley is well-positioned to repeat in this category at season's end. He leads the NFL with 800 yards rushing and 11 TDs on the ground. The four-year veteran also has 31 receptions for 351 yards and four more touchdowns. In all honesty, the difference between him and Mahomes for MVP is paper-thin.

In his first season as a starter, Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards (2,526) and TD passes (26). On Sunday, he joined Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with 25 touchdowns after eight games. Oh, and he has the Chiefs rolling at 7-1.

While it seems to be en vogue to question the Giants' decision to draft Barkley second overall, that has nothing to do with the former Penn State running back's performance on the field. Through eight games, Barkley has rushed for 519 yards and five touchdowns and has added 58 catches for 497 yards and two scores as receiver.

Donald had two more sacks in Sunday's win over the Packers and leads the NFL with 10 QB takedowns this season. He is the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Honorable Mention: J.J. Watt (Hou), Khalil Mack (Chi)

COACH OF THE YEAR: BILL O'BRIEN, HOUSTON

After starting 0-3, the Texans have won five straight. They lead the AFC South and have already surpassed their 2017 win total of four.

Honorable Mention: Jay Gruden (Was), Sean McVay (LAR)

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: SAQUON BARKLEY, RB, NEW YORK GIANTS

While it seems to be en vogue to question the Giants' decision to draft Barkley second overall, that has nothing to do with the former Penn State running back's performance on the field. Through eight games, Barkley has rushed for 519 yards and five touchdowns and has added 58 catches for 497 yards and two scores as receiver.